Wading shoe

ABSTRACT

A wading shoe made from nonwetting, nonwater-retaining material including a nonwetting, nonwater-retaining sole is provided with a quick release closure in addition to the normal lace adjustable means of closing a shoe.

1 United States Patent 111 3,57

[72] Inventor Leon L. Martuch [56] References Cited Mldlmd, UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3; g g- 3 3 1970 2,935,798 5/1960 Piberhofer.. 36/25 E ai5 3,491,465 1/1970 Martin 36/25 [73] Assign sfehfifimngksma 3,509,6465/1970 Vietas 36/25 Midland, Mich. Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson[54] WADING SHOE 23 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52} US. Cl. 36/25 A43b Field ol'Search 36/25, 7.1, 4

Attorneys-Gordon W. Hueschen, A. David Spevack and Talivaldis CepuritisABSTRACT: A wading shoe made from nonwetting, nonwater-retainingmaterial including a nonwetting,

nonwater-retaining sole is provided with a quick release closure inaddition to the normal lace adjustable means of closing a shoe.

Patented April 13, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

ATTORNEY Patented A ril 13, 1911 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 50

FIG. 5b

FIG. 5a

- INVENTOR LEON 1.; MARTUCH i ATTORNEY WADING SHOE DISCLOSURE Thisinvention pertains to a wading shoe or boot, and more particularlypertains to a wading shoe made of nonwetting, nonwater-retainingmaterial that is provided with a quick release closure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fishermen in the pursuit of fish often enterinto bodies of water where the fish are found, be it lake, pond, stream,river or surf. Fishermen employ various means of keeping the immersedpositions of the body dry. One of these methods is the use of a garment,called a wader. A wader resembles a pair of footed pants that extendupwards from the feet at least to the waist, often to mid chest. Thegarment is held in position by suspenders and the lower or footedportion of the wader can either be of the same weight and type materialas the remainder of the garment called a sock-type wader or the footedportion can be a high boot integrally formed with the wader. In itspreferred form, a wader is of the sock-type and is usually constructedfrom various waterproofed materials including rubberized cloth, vinyl,nylon or similar materials. The sock portion of a wader made of thistype of material is highly susceptible to damage caused by tearing orchafing the garment as a result of .the action of sand, gravel, andother submerged objects. In order to protect the foot section of thewader a fisherman commonly wears an ankle high shoe which is generallyin the style of an athletic shoe or sneaker laced up the front. Theseshoes are constructed in the same manner as a sneaker and are made'ofcotton duck, canvas or leather. The sole of the wading shoe is made ofeither felt or cleated rubber depending on the kind of bottom existingin the body of water the wearer wants to fish. In the shoe commonly usedat the present time, it is necessary to wear a sock made of wool or someother soft material to prevent the shoe fabric or sand and other foreignobjects that get into the shoe from chafing the thin wader fabric andthereby causing leaks in the wader.

The construction of the shoe causes several problems. One of theproblems is the difficulty that is met by the fisherman in trying toremove the laced cloth boots after emerging from the water. Thedifficulty in untying a wet knot is well known. The second major problemis the fact that the shoe retains a good deal of water in its structureand is extremely difficult to dry thoroughly. This is particularly truewhen the soles are made of felt. Water is retained in the felt mattingand can neither be shaken or squeezed out. Once the boot is wet, it isextremely difficult for the fisherman to put the boot on a second timeif he wishes to return to the water. Moreover, when it comes time totransport the boot home, he is often faced with a soggy piece of clothwhich may take as long as a week to dry out thoroughly even in opensunlight. The river-soaked and soggy boot also gives off aniunpleasantodor which permeates the interior of trunks or throughout thetransporting vehicles in general. U.S. Pat. No. 2,340,578 shows thegeneral structure of an athletic or tennis-type shoe.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,684,660 shows the use of a zipper closure in conjunctionwith adjustable grippers on an overshoe or rubber boot for the use ininclement weather such as snow or the like.

The weather shoe is usually of water impervious construction so that vthe wearers feet stay dry. That is not necessary and is actuallyimpossible with a wading shoe.

It is an objects of this invention to'provide a wadingshoe that dn'esrapidly after immersion in water.

Another object of this invention is to provide ashoe which is made ofmaterials which will not retain water.

A further object of thisinvention is to provide a wading shoe with aquick release means so that the fisherman can insert his foot into thewading shoe without having to readjust the tightening means.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a wading shoe whichis pervious to water.

An additional objectof this invention is to provide a wading shoe whichobviates the need for a chafe protecting sock.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent inthe following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention contemplates a water-perviouswading shoe having the general appearance of the athletic-type wadingshoe known to the art. The wading shoe has a sole which can be either ofthe sculptured cleat-type or more preferably, the wading shoe has amatted or felt-type bottom made of a nonwettable, nonwater-retainingmaterial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIG. 1 is a full perspective view of theboot as seen from the rear;

FIG. 2 is a partial view of the boot as seen from the front;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the boot neckfrom the top;

FIG. 4 is a partial front view of an alternate embodiment of the boot asseen from thefront;

FIG. 5 a, b and c are partial views of alternate structures for the soleof the boot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The wading shoeiswater-pervious and has a sole, formed of nonwettable,nonwater-retaining material; and an upper, formed of nonwettable,nonwater-retaining material, which is affixed to the sole by meanscommonly used in the shoe art. The upper has two fasteners, a quickrelease fastener and an adjustable fastener both of which are operablyattached to the upper. A drain means is provided in the upper which isadapted to pass and filter water through the shoe.

The nonwettable, nonwater-retaining material can be a polymeric materialwhich is generally formed into fibers, and can be matted or interwovento form a feltlike web. An example of such matted fibrous mass would bewhat is commonly known as indoor-outdoor carpeting. This material iscommonly made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or copolymers of these twopolymers. In addition polymer carpetlike material-having a shortrelatively stiff, tufted or brushlikeappearance also gives excellentresults having the gripping power of cleats and the traction offelt-type sole. These polymers, unlike cotton or other natural fibermaterials, are not wet by water and therefore do not retain water on thefiber molecule itself. Further, many of these materials are actuallyhydrophobic or water-repelling and therefore water will not be held byhydrogen bonding in the cellular structures formed by the interweavingand matting or juxtaposition of the fabric. When the boot is shaken orbanged against some hard surface the water will be substantiallyexpelled from the webbing of the sole, and the sole will thereafter dryrapidly. Many of these artificial fiber materials of polypropylene orpolyethylene or nylon carpet-type'are mounted on a backing material. Inthe concept of this invention the backing material when used acts as theinner sole of the shoe and is formed of small cellular structurepolymeric material which is preferably hydrophobic and therefore willnot retain water in the cellular structure. The polymeric webbing can besculptured to form cleats, ribbing or other gripping surfaces therebyenabling one sole to serve a dual function of providing good footing onboth moss covered rocks and sand or silt bottom. Foxing common toathletic-type shoes can be provided. The foxing is made of a heavyrubber or polymer material which is strongly resistant to the cutting orhole-punching effects of various submerged objects such as logs, sharprocks, etc.

The shoe upper comprises two separable side portions which are adaptedto be joined by means of fasteners usually along the forward and rearedges. One of the fasteners is adjustable and is preferably a buckle orlace, most preferably a lace. The other fastener is of the quick releasetype such as heavy enough to operate even when covered with slit orsand. Slide fasteners formed of two pieces of interlocking plastic orplastic spiral may also be used in the concept of this invention if theyare of heavy enough construction to withstand the environment to whichthe fastener is subjected. The shoe is provided with a vamp and attachedthereto is a tongue. The adjustable fastener is usually located outsidein relation to the wearers foot of the tongue. I

It is not necessary that the two fasteners be located opposite oneanother. In alternate embodiments the slide fastener can be located inthe side of the shoe or if desired two slide fasteners can be used. Itis preferred that only one slide fastener is used.

The wading shoe upper is formed nonwetting, nonwaterretaining material.This material can be either a woven material formed from polymericfibers; cotton duck, which has been coated with a permanentwater-proofing material or a sheet;

. film material. When the fabric is of the woven-type it is preferredthat it be formed of polymeric fibers such as polyamides (nylon),polyesters (dacron), polyurethanes and such. In addition these fabricscan be coated in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,721,81 1 toincrease stability and wear resistance when the shoe upper is formed ofsheet or filmmaterial, preferably polymeric sheet or film, material suchas vinyl, polyurethane, polyproplyene, rubber, polyamides, or any othernonwettable, nonwater-retaining sheet or film material.

A wading shoe is designed and constructed to be used while totallysubmerged. Unlike a rubber or other weather-type boot or shoe, it is notdesirable for the shoe to be impervious to water. Indeed the shoe mustpass water or else it would add two very heavy and uncomfortable weightsto a fishemian's feet. While it is extremely desirable that water bepassed through the shoe it is preferably that silt, sand, pebbles andother debris which is likely to damage the wader not be permitted topass through the shoe. Within the concept of this invention drainage maybe provided for the shoe.

In those embodiments of the invention wherein the shoe upper is made ofimpermeable material such as vinyl or polyolefin film or coated fabric,the shoe is provided with at least one drain port. The drain port isusually provided with a filtering means to prevent the passage of silt,sand or the like. In an alternate embodiment the upper is formed of aloosely woven fabric having the properties previously described so thatat least a portion of upper itself allows for the passage of waterthrough the shoe while filtering out debris.

In a still further embodiment contemplated by this invention, the needfor a separate chafe guard or wool sock, commonly used in the art, iseliminated by bonding a resilient nonwettable, nonwater-retainingmaterial to the interior of the boot. This lining can be formed from anyresilient soft, nonwetting, nonwater-retaining material, such as afleecelike material formed from polymeric fibers or a matted feltlikematerial similar to the sole of the boot or a foam material such aspolyurethane foam. Anyone of the bondable synthetic materials which arenonwettable and nonwater-retaining can be utilized as the lining forthis embodiment.

Now having generally described the shoe of this invention, reference ismade to the drawings to describe specific embodiments of the inventionwhich are illustrative of the shoe with a bonded lining.

Referring now to the drawing, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a wading shoe 10,having sole 11' and heel l2 afiixed to shoe upper 40. The sole 11 andheel 12 are in this embodimentmade of interwoven matted polymericmaterial, preferably matted fibers of polypropylene. Foxing 13,preferably made of a polymeric material is provided surrounding theentire sole of the boot-react as a rock, log or other submerged objectbumper. The-faxing is provided with openings30 which allow water to bedrained from the boot. These eyelets are provided with a strainer orother restriction (not shown) to reduce the amount of mud, sand andother particles that can flow into the a boot. The nonnal movement ofthe foot when the wearer walks causes a pumplike action which constantlykeeps the water moving through the shoe. Without the strainer devicesand and debris would be constantly pulled into the shoe.

A toe guard 14 is provided, made of the same material as foxing 13. Thetoe guard 14 substantially covers the entire vamp 15. Two sides 17 and18 form two-separable quarter sections of the shoe upper 40. The vamp 15is joined to tongue 16 which is joined to side 18 of the neck 20 (FIG.2) The front edges 21 and 22 of the quarter sections 17 and 18 areprovided with a series of'eyelets 23 so that the front sections can beadjustably joined together by means of laces (not shown). The front edge21 of side 17 overlaps the tongue 16 so a tight seal is formed when theshoe is laced closed. A slide fastener 24 having interlocking teeth 25and slide 26 is fastened to each of the heel edges 28 and 29 of quartersections 17 and 18 so that the heel portion 70 of the shoe 10 may beopened rapidly by means of this quick slide fastener 24 thereby allowingfor the removal or entrance of the wearers foot without disturbing thelaced closure of edges 21 and 22. In order to prevent the interiorportion of the teeth 25 of slide fastener 24 chafing the wader itself, aflap 27 (FIG. 2) is attached to the interior of side 28 of quartersection 18. When the slide fastener 24 is closed, the flap 27 covers theslide fastener 24 providing a uniform contour to the inside of the heelportion 70 of the boot 10 (FIG. 3), thereby preventing the teeth 25 fromdamaging the wader material.

An interlining 31 of fleecelike nonwetting, nonwaterretaining materialis bonded to the interior of quarter sections 17 and 18, to the interiorof the tongue 16, an over the flap 27. The lining 31 extends over thetop of the shoe and forms a lip or cuff section 32. This fleecelikematerial does away with the necessity of wearing an additional wool orother type of separate sock. In addition, in use the lip 32 acts as afilter allowing water to pass into and out of the shoe but excluding theentry silt and sand.

An alternate embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 wherein shoe 410 havingfoxing 413, drain ports 430, quarter sections 417 and 418 and flap 427is shown with the slide fastener open. Tongue 416 is joined on bothsides to quarter sections 417 and 418 by means of gussets 450 and 451.This provides a weather-type closure which aids in preventing theentrance of sand and silt into the shoe.

An interlining 431 of a hydrophobic, nonwettable, nonwater-retainingfoam material such as polyurethane foam is bonded to the interior oftongue 416, quarter sections 417 and 418 and flap 427 forming a chafeguard. The lining 431 is also bonded to the interior sole of the shoe410 and the underside of the vamp thereby providing a fully lined shoe.In FIG. 4 the slide fastener is shown in the open position therebyproviding opening 460 for the insertion of the wearers foot.

Polymeric materials can be contoured. FIGS. 50 and b illustrate twoalternate embodiments of the contouring of the sole. In FIG. 5a the soleis embossed with a design to increase the traction of the sole. In FIG.5b the polymeric material is bonded over a shaped polymeric resin baseforming a rippled surface. FIG. 5c illustrates a sole made of shortcropped tufted material having a brushlike appearance. The fibers of thetufted sole are between one-sixteenth and one-fourteenth of an inch inlength.

g The novel boot construction of this invention, of course, can beprovided without the bonded line material and a separate sock could beprovided for the prevention of chafing.

It is also within the concept of this invention that the same materialas used to line the boot in a bonded fashion can be provided in the formof a separate slipper-type boot, pulled on in the same manner as a sockwould be pulled on before inserting one's foot in the boot of thisinvention.

In use, a wearer of a boot of this invention would put on a pair ofboots while dry andlace each boot to the desired tightness which iscomfortable for his foot and conditions.

After use, when the boots are totally immersed in water, each boot canbe opened by means of a slide fastener 24 or 424 and the wearers footwith the wader thereon can be removed through the opening 60 or 460provided at the rear of the boot. If on the same day the wearer wishesto reuse the boot, it is only necessary to-slide ones foot back throughthe opening 60 or 460 and close the slide fastener 24 or 424 and thewearer is once more ready to return to fishing. A large amount of strainis constantly being placed on the shoe, therefore the use of acombination of a lace closure and slide closure is preferable to attainthe proper fit of the shoe under different conditions and the quickremoval of the shoe when fit is set for the day. When the days fishingis done, and it is now necessary to transport the pair of boots, theexcess water can be rapidly eliminated by emptying and shaking orknocking each boot against a hard surface to dislodge water retained inthe pores of the structure and then excess water can be rapidly removedfrom the upper and inner portions of the boot by wiping with a softcloth. The remainder of any moisture films will evaporate rapidly fromthe boot as the water film will only lie on the surface of the material.The boot material being nonwater retaining there is no molecular holdingof the water film to the boot. The boot by this treatment will dry outrelatively rapidly and will not leave the usual odors familiarto anyonecoming in contact with dampened, mildewing cotton and natural fibermaterial.

Although the invention has been particularly disclosed for a shoe with abonded lining it is to be understood that the invention is applicablefor a shoe not having the bonded interlining. It is also obvious to oneof ordinary skill in the art that the foregoing is presented by wayofexnmple only and the invention is not to be unduly restricted therebysince modifications may be made in the shoe without departing from thespirit of this invention.

lclaim:

l. A water-pervious wading shoe comprising a sole, formed ofnonwettable, nonwater-retaining material; an upper, formed ofnonwettable, nonwater-retaining material, and affixed to said sole, saidupper provided with (a) a quick release fastener and an adjustablefastener operably attached to said upper and (b) a drain means in saidupper, adapted to pass and filter water through said shoe.

2. A shoe according to claim 1 wherein said upper comprise two separableside portions, each side portion having a forward edge and a heel edge.

3. A shoe according to claim 2 wherein said slide fastener is a slidefastener positioned opposite said adjustable fastener and operablyattached to the heel edges of said side portion.

4. A shoe according to claim 3 wherein each forward edge of said sideportions is provided with a series of eyelets positioned to enable theforward edges of said side portions to be adjustably tightened by meansof a lace;

5. A shoe according to claim 4 wherein said upper is formed of apolymeric film.

6. A shoe according to claim 5 wherein said film is a vinyl 7. A shoeaccording to claim 5 wherein said film is a polyolefin or copolymerthereof.

8. A shoe according to claim 5 wherein the drain means is at least oneeyelet containing a filtering means.

9. A shoe according to claim 4 wherein said upper is formed of wovenpolymeric fibers.

10. A shoe according to claim 9 wherein said fiber is a polyolefin orcopolymer thereof.

11. A shoe according to claim 9 wherein said fiber is a linearpolyamide.

12. A shoe according to claim 9 wherein said fiber is a polyester.

13. A shoe according to claim 9 wherein at least a portion of said wovenpolymeric fiber is loosely woven thereby providing a drain means.

14. A shoe according to claim 9 wherein said sole is formed of mattedand interwoven polymeric fibers.

15. A shoe according to claim 14 wherein said sole is sculptured.

16. A shoe according to claim 9 wherein said sole is tufted. 17. A shoeaccording to claim 1 comprising a sole formed of interwoven and mattedpolymeric material, an upper affixed to said sole comprising;

i. a vamp;

2. a tongue, said tongue being attached to said vamp along one sidethereof;

3. two separable side quarters, each of said side quarters having aforward edge and a heel edge, one side of said tongue being attached toat least one of said forward edges;

4. a slide fastener operably attached to the heel edges of said sidequarters;

5. a series of eyelets positioned in each of the forward edges of saidside quarters which operate in conjunction with a lace to form anadjustable fastener;

6. a pair of eyelets positioned in the lower portion of one of said sideportions, each eyelet containing a perforated plate, said eyeletsforming a drain means.

18. A shoe according to claim 17 wherein a flap is attached to one ofsaid heel edges, said flap being positioned to cover said slide fastenerwhen said fastener is in the closed position.

19. A shoe according to claim 18 wherein a lining formed of a resilient,nonwettable, nonwatenretaining material is bonded to all interiorsurfaces of said shoe.

20. A shoe according to claim 17 wherein said lining extends above thetop of said shoe.

2!. A shoe according to claim 20 wherein said lining is a polymericfleece.

22. A shoe according to claim 20 wherein said lining is a polymericmatted and interwoven felt.

23. A shoe according to claim 19 wherein said lining is a polymericfoam.

Patent No.

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ColuIm 1, line 64:

Column 3, line 14:

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Colunm 5,

(SEAL) Attest:

Attaining FORM F O-1050 (10-63) line 43 (Claim 3) UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Dated April 13, 1971 Inventor(s) LEONL. MARIUCH It is certified that error appears in the above-identifiedpater and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Assignee Cancel "Scientific Angles, Inc." and substitute thereforScientific Anglers, Inc.

Delete "positions" and insert portions Delete "objects" and insertobject After the word "fon'ned" insert of Delete "an" and insert andCancel "one-fourteenth" and substitute therefor one-fourth Cancel"slide" and substitute therefor quick release Signed and sealed this 7thday of September 1971.

ROBIERT GOTTSCHALK Acting Commissioner of P USCOMM-DC Q fi US.GOVERNMENT FIINYING OFHCE: III

1. A water-pervious wading shoe comprising a sole, formed ofnonwettable, nonwater-retaining material; an upper, formed ofnonwettable, nonwater-retaining material, and affixed to said sole, saidupper provided with (a) a quick release fastener and an adjustablefastener operably attached to said upper and (b) a drain means in saidupper, adapted to pass and filter water through said shoe.
 2. a tongue,said tongue being attached to said vamp along one side thereof;
 2. Ashoe according to claim 1 wherein said upper comprise two separable sideportions, each side portion having a forward edge and a heel edge.
 3. Ashoe according to claim 2 wherein said slide fastener is a slidefastener positioned opposite said adjustable fastener and operablyattached to the heel edges of said side portion.
 3. two separable sidequarters, each of said side quarters having a forward edge and a heeledge, one side of said tongue being attached to at least one of saidforward edges;
 4. a slide fastener operably attached to the heel edgesof said side quarters;
 4. A shoe according to claim 3 wherein eachforward edge of said side portions is provided with a series of eyeletspositioned to enable the forward edges of said side portions to beadjustably tightened by means of a lace.
 5. A shoe according to claim 4wherein said upper is formed of a polymeric film.
 5. a series of eyeletspositioned in each of the forward edges of said side quarters whichoperate in conjunction with a lace to form an adjustable fastener;
 6. apair of eyelets positioned in the lower portion of one of said sideportions, each eyelet containing a perforated plate, said eyeletsforming a drain means.
 6. A shoe according to claim 5 wherein said filmis a vinyl film.
 7. A shoe according to claim 5 wherein said film is apolyolefin or copolymer thereof.
 8. A shoe according to claim 5 whereinthe drain means is at least one eyelet containing a filtering means. 9.A shoe according to claim 4 wherein said upper is formed of wovenpolymeric fibers.
 10. A shoe according to claim 9 wherein said fiber isa polyolefin or copolymer thereof.
 11. A shoe according to claim 9wherein said fiber is a linear polyamide.
 12. A shoe according to claim9 wherein said fiber is a polyester.
 13. A shoe according to claim 9wherein at least a portion of said woven polymeric fiber is looselywoven thereby providing a drain means.
 14. A shoe according to claim 9wherein said sole is formed of matted and interwoven polymeric fibers.15. A shoe according to claim 14 wherein said sole is sculptured.
 16. Ashoe according to claim 9 wherein said sole is tufted.
 17. A shoeaccording to claim 1 comprising a sole formed of interwoven and mattedpolymeric material, an upper affixed to said sole comprising;
 18. A shoeaccording to claim 17 wherein a flap is attached to one of said heeledges, said flap being positioned to cover said slide fastener when saidfastener is in the closed position.
 19. A shoe according to claim 18wherein a lining formed of a resilient, nonwettable, nonwater-retainingmaterial is bonded to all interior surfaces of said shoe.
 20. A shoeaccording to claim 17 wherein said lining extends above the top of saidshoe.
 21. A shoe according to claim 20 wherein said lining is apolymeric fleece.
 22. A shoe according to claim 20 wherein said liningis a polymeric matted and interwoven felt.
 23. A shoe according to claim19 wherein said lining is a polymeric foam.